The final preparations are over and we are due to start the long journey around lunch time on Friday the 26th of July. The ARC flag is hoisted from the spreaders and final stowage is taking place. As the photograph shows the Storm Sails were hoisted to check they were rigged correctly. We both hope this is the last time we see them! The Marina is a hive of activity as the All Wales Boat show is due to take place here on Wednesday. The plan is to go out to Ireland and go as far west as we can then look for a weather window to cross to northern Portugal. It is now 20 years since I fist set foot on a yacht and my desire to sail around the world from the moment land disappeared over the horizon is about to become a reality. Who knows what will happen but the most important thing is that we are about to try. So the cats are settled, the new engine is a dream and finally as I sit typing this I am waiting for the final master piece to arrive. This will signal the end of the refit and the beginning of the journey. So what is it. It always annoyed me that the fist thing you see as you enter the yacht is the saloon table. It was battered, chipped, faded and didn't reflect the hard work we have put into this project. So six months ago I decided that TLC Boat Repairs be set one last challenge. To make the table a centre piece. OK it was not going to be cheap but Paul the joiner dedicated himself to the task. I am sure it has become a love hate relationship for which he is equally to blame. His search for perfection has meant he has repeatedly come up with ideas of how to do it better. Supervised by Barry who is equally a perfectionist I am sure the result will be worth the time, money and wait. I will post photos but for now I wait expectantly...